If you’ve never had the chance to get behind a drum kit and beat the ever living balls out of those things, it’s an experience I recommend everyone try at least once in their life. I was fortunate to have found percussion early on in my childhood, which soon became my gateway drug into various other instruments. Throughout my time as a skin beater, I amassed a collection of inspirational idols to whom I would seek advice from with both technique and style. Even as I grow older there are drummers who still catch my attention with a similar intensity as when I was in my more abrasive younger years. The following are just a few heavy hitters who never fail to make me grin with intense admiration every time they get behind a kit.

Nicolas Barker

With blast beats and fills across the toms that make you wonder if you’re just listening with the fast forward button running, Nicolas solidified his career as one of the most formidable foes behind the drum kit with a style that is often imitated, but never duplicated.

Jimmy Chamberlin

One of the first drummers I learned dynamics from, Jimmy has a great sense of velocity when he plays. It’s a skill more drummers, especially in heavy metal, could use in their arsenal of tricks.

George Kollias

Some of the best footwork in the business, George is an absolute monster with not only double bass techniques, but his overall work around the kit is a masterclass in position, performance, and power.

Igor Cavalera

Speaking of power, Igor is one of the heaviest hitters of all time thanks in part to his tremendously gifted Brazilian tribal roots which elevate his style to unmatched levels of intensity.

Martin Lopez

His expressions behind the kit while performing with Opeth remain some of my favorite drumming in the realm of heavy metal. With playing that is equal parts technical and tasteful, Lopez has endured as a fan favorite amongst many in the metal drumming community.

Mike Bordin

With a signature style both on and off the kit, it’s hard not to recognize Mike Bordin. Whether it be from his signature dreads, or his signature looking kit with massive toms that are positioned almost completely flat, his looks are just as iconic as his groove induced playing.

Tomas Haake

Kirk Hammett once described the feeling of playing with Meshuggah as if he was standing in front of an oncoming locomotive. That statement speaks volumes considering Tomas Haake is the driving force behind one of metals heaviest bands in history.

Mario Duplantier

I found Mario late in my career, and I cannot be more grateful that I did. His playing inspired a part of me that I thought was long gone. I still can’t figure out how he does most of what he does, which is always a sign of a great drummer. They keep you thinking, keep you guessing, and keep you puzzled, all while trying to dissect what makes them tick.

Vinnie Paul

The backbone of Pantera’s groove heavy assault, Vinnie helped shape the sound of modern metal drumming. From the production of his drums to the controlled chaos of his kick technique, his influence is felt across generations.

Mike Portnoy

Without question the most influential drummer in my life. Mike showed me that a drummer could be more than just a guy who beat the shit out of some cans while the band did their thing, he showed us how wearing your heart on your sleeve can help people connect on a deeper level to your music.

Frost

You don’t hear much from Frost in the media, at least not compared to other metal musicians. He’s quiet and reserved, but his playing does all the talking. If you ever get the chance to see him live, the experience will stay with you long after the show ends.

Dale Crover

If you ask a casual fan of heavy music who Dale Crover is, most will shrug their shoulders. Ask any heavy musician in the business, and they will tell you about how influential Dale has been throughout the history of heavy music in the 90s up until today and beyond.